Jones College’s Colton Smith Dominates in World Series Opener with 11 Strikeouts
ENID, Okla. — Jones College opened the 2026 NJCAA Division II World Series with an 8-2 victory over Frederick (Md.) on Saturday at David Allen Memorial Ballpark. Sophomore right-hander Colton Smith pitched a complete game, striking out a career-high 11 batters and earning his 11th win of the season, according to school officials.
Smith allowed seven hits, issued three walks, and threw 113 pitches. The pitcher has recorded five straight quality starts and has thrown complete games in four of his last five outings. Jones (41-16) will face Madison College (45-10) in the winner’s bracket Sunday at 10 a.m. The two programs previously met in the 2011 World Series, with Jones winning 11-4.
The Bobcats provided early support for Smith. Warren Hutchinson drew a leadoff walk in the first inning and scored on a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch by Talan Theriot, giving Jones a 1-0 lead. Smith settled in quickly, retiring six of the next seven batters and striking out seven through the first four innings.
Jones extended its lead in the third. Chase Russell hit a solo home run to left field, his 14th of the season, to make it 2-0. Later in the inning, a passed ball allowed Theriot to score and increase the lead to 3-0. Frederick responded with a run in the fourth on a bases-loaded walk, but Smith ended the inning with a strikeout, minimizing further damage.
The Bobcats added to their lead in the bottom of the inning. Hutchinson walked and Russell singled, putting runners at the corners. Sanders Ainsworth then grounded out to score Hutchinson. Russell scored again on a wild pitch, making it 5-1. Smith continued to dominate, striking out the side in the eighth and retiring eight of the final 10 batters faced.
Offensively, Russell led Jones with a 4-for-5 night, including a home run, a double, and three runs scored. Dylan Champagne contributed two hits, two runs, and a stolen base, while Gage Reeves added two hits. Hutchinson reached base three times and scored twice. The Bobcats added an insurance run in the eighth when Champagne doubled and scored on Theriot’s sacrifice fly. Frederick’s final run came on a solo homer by Casey Westerberg in the ninth, before Smith closed out the game with his 11th strikeout and a groundout.
Jones finished with 12 hits and six walks in the victory, improving to 10-3 all-time in Enid. The game was broadcast at NJCAA.org/network, with live stats available through the NJCAA website.
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